For the very first time, United Nations and the world are observing the International Day for People of African Descent on the 31st of August 2021. This International Day is an opportunity to recognize and honour the extraordinary contributions of people of African descent around the globe. People of African descent, particularly women and girls, confront inequalities, violence and discrimination every day – inequalities exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. We must work together to tear down the barriers that deny people of African descent their full economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, says Executive Director UNFPA,  Dr. Natalia Kanem.